Lens driving apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a lens driving apparatus. The lens driving apparatus includes a base formed at a center thereof with a first opening; a housing coupled with the base and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening; a yoke installed on the base and including a horizontal plate having a third opening corresponding to the first opening and a vertical plate protruding upward from the horizontal plate; a bobbin movably installed in the yoke and coupled with a lens module; a coil fixedly disposed around the bobbin; a plurality of magnets provided at the vertical plate of the yoke to face the coil; and a spring installed on at least one of upper and lower portions of the yoke to return the bobbin, which has moved up due to interaction between the magnet and the coil, to its initial position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/987,606, filed May 23, 2018; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/449,356, filed Mar. 3, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,007,082, issued Jun. 26, 2018; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/008,496, filed Jan. 28, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.9,618,722, issued Apr. 11, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/632,758, filed Feb. 26, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.9,256,049, issued Feb. 09, 2016; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/952,230, filed Jul. 26, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,019,624, issued Apr. 28, 2015; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/659,185, filed Oct. 24, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.9,250,414, issued Feb. 2, 2016; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/302,547, filed Nov. 22, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,300,330, issued Oct. 30, 2012; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/051,291, filed Mar. 18, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,089,703, issued Jan. 3, 2012; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/518,976, filed Jun. 12, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No.7,936,526, issued May 3, 2011; which is the U.S. national stageapplication of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2007/006466,filed Dec. 12, 2007; which claims priority to Korean Patent ApplicationNos. 10-2006-0127435, filed Dec. 13, 2006, and 10-2006-0127436, filedDec. 13, 2006, all of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a lens driving apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, as electronic appliances have multi-functions, variouselectronic appliances having cameras therein, such as MP3 players,mobile communication terminals and PDAs, have been widely used.

Since the electronic appliances equipped with cameras are manufacturedin a small size such that a user can carry the electronic appliances,parts for providing camera functions must also be manufactured in asmall size. To this end, a dead space must be minimized in a lensdriving apparatus that drives a lens of the camera.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM The embodiment provides a lens driving apparatus whichcan be fabricated in a small size. The embodiment provides a lensdriving apparatus in which a dead space is minimized. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

The lens driving apparatus of the embodiment comprises a base formed ata center thereof with a first opening; a housing coupled with the baseand having a second opening corresponding to the first opening; a yokeinstalled on the base and including a horizontal plate having a thirdopening corresponding to the first opening and a vertical plateprotruding upward from the horizontal plate; a bobbin movably installedin the yoke and coupled with a lens module; a coil fixedly disposedaround the bobbin; a plurality of magnets provided at the vertical plateof the yoke to face the coil; and a spring installed on at least one ofupper and lower portions of the yoke to return the bobbin, which hasmoved up due to interaction between the magnet and the coil, to itsinitial position.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

The embodiment can provide a lens driving apparatus which can befabricated in a small size.

The embodiment can provide a lens driving apparatus in which a deadspace is minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a lens driving apparatus according to afirst embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens driving apparatusshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a lens driving apparatus according to asecond embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lens driving apparatusshown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a lens driving apparatus according to an embodiment will bedescribed with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a lens driving apparatus according to afirst embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lensdriving apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens driving apparatus includes a base110 and a housing 120, which are coupled to each other to form apredetermined space therebetween. The base 110 has a polygonal shape(e.g. rectangular plate shape) and a first opening 111 is formed at thecenter of the base 110. The housing 120 has a hexahedral structure and abottom surface thereof is opened. Coupling members 110 a are provided atcorner edges of the base 110. The coupling members 110 a protrude upwardfrom the base 110 and are coupled with the housing 120 while makingcontact with an outer surface and an upper surface of the housing 120.

A second opening 121 is formed in the upper surface of the housing 120corresponding to the first opening 111 of the base 110. The bottomsurface of the base 110 is connected to an electronic appliance (notshown) and a circuit board (not shown) having an image sensor isprovided in the first opening 111.

A metal yoke 130 is fixedly disposed between the base 110 and thehousing 120. The yoke 130 includes a horizontal plate 131, which has apolygonal shape (e.g. rectangular plate shape) corresponding to the base110 and is mounted on the base 110, and a vertical plate 135 provided atan outer peripheral portion of the horizontal plate 131 incorrespondence with the outer peripheral portion of the housing 120.

A third opening 131 a, which corresponds to the first opening 111 of thebase 110, is formed in the horizontal plate 131, and the vertical plate135 protrudes upward from the outer peripheral portion of the horizontalplate 131.

Since the yoke 130 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the shape ofthe base 110 and the housing 120 and is installed between the base 110and the housing 120, a dead space may not exist among the base 110, thehousing 120 and the yoke 130, and the yoke 130 may not rotate betweenthe base 110 and the housing 120.

A cylindrical bobbin 140 is installed in the yoke 130. The bobbin 140 ismovable up and down through the second opening 121. A lens module 200including a lens and a lens supporter is coupled with the bobbin 140.

A magnet 150 having an angular column structure is fixed to an innersurface of the vertical plate 135 of the yoke 130, and a coil 160 isdisposed around the bobbin 140.

The coil 160 has a cylindrical structure or a polygonal structure andfaces the magnet 150.

In the embodiment, the coil 160 has a substantially octagonal structure,in which edges of the coil 160 facing the magnet 150 are curved.

At this time, planes of the magnet 150 that face the coil 160 are alsocurved such that the electromagnetic field can be maximized. That is,the planes of the coil 160 and the magnet 150, which face to each other,have the same curvature.

In the embodiment, a plurality of magnets 150 are disposed at edges ofthe yoke 130 to minimize the space occupied by the magnet 150.

Therefore, in the outer peripheral surface of the coil 160, an area thatfaces the magnets 150 is smaller than an area that does not face themagnets 150. In detail, the area that faces the magnets 150 is greaterthan 20% and smaller than 50% in the outer peripheral surface of thecoil 160.

If the area that faces the magnets 150 is less than 20% in the outerperipheral surface of the coil 160, magnetic force is too insufficientto move up the coil 160. In addition, if the area that faces the magnets150 is greater than 50% in the outer peripheral surface of the coil 160,the space occupied by the magnets 150 is too large.

According to the embodiment, in order to increase the magnetic forcewhile reducing the space occupied by the magnets 150, the magnet 150 hasan angular column structure in which a plane of the magnet 140 thatfaces the coil 160 is curved.

Therefore, the magnet 150 has later faces including a curved plane thatfaces the coil 160 and at least one flat plane that does not face thecoil 160. In the embodiment, the magnet 150 includes one curved planeand three flat planes.

Thus, as current is applied to the coil 160, the coil 160 moves uptogether with the bobbin 140 due to an electric field generated from thecoil 160 and a magnetic field generated from the magnet 150.Accordingly, the lens module 200 coupled with the bobbin 140 is alsomoved up.

First and second spacers 171 and 175 are installed between a bottomsurface of the yoke 130 and the base 110 and between the upper surfaceof the yoke 130 and the housing 120, respectively. The first and secondspacers 171 and 175 have elasticity to compensate for the assemblingtolerance between the parts.

In addition, outer peripheral portions of first and second springs 181and 185 having ring shapes are inserted between the bottom surface ofthe first spacer 171 and the base 110 and between the upper surface ofthe second spacer 175 and the housing 120, respectively.

Inner peripheral portions of the first and second springs 181 and 185are integrally formed with the bobbin 140. As the current being appliedto the coil 150 is shut off, the bobbin 140 is moved down by the firstand second springs 181 and 185, so that the bobbin 140 returns to itsinitial position.

Although the embodiment shows the first and second springs 181 and 185,it is also possible to provide only one of the first and second springs181 and 185.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a lens driving apparatus according to asecond embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of thelens driving apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lens driving apparatus includes a base110 and a housing 120, which are coupled to each other to form apredetermined space therebetween. The base 110 has a rectangular plateshape and a first opening 111 is formed at the center of the base 110.The housing 120 has a hexahedral structure and a bottom surface thereofis opened.

Coupling members 110 a are provided at corner edges of the base 110. Thecoupling members 110 a protrude upward from the base 110 and are coupledwith the housing 120 while making contact with an outer surface and anupper surface of the housing 120.

A second opening 121 is formed in the upper surface of the housing 120corresponding to the first opening 111 of the base 110. The bottomsurface of the base 110 is connected to an electronic appliance (notshown) and a circuit board (not shown) having an image sensor isprovided in the first opening 111.

A metal yoke 130 is fixedly disposed between the base 110 and thehousing 120. The yoke 130 includes a horizontal plate 131, which has arectangular plate shape corresponding to the base 110 and is mounted onthe base 110.

A third opening 131 a, which corresponds to the first opening 111 of thebase 110, is formed at the center of the horizontal plate 131. Inaddition, a ring -shaped vertical wall 134 is formed on the horizontalplate 131 while surrounding the third opening 131 a and vertical plates134 protrude upward from corner edges of the horizontal plate 131. Thevertical plates 137 are fixedly supported by edges of the housing 120.

Since the yoke 130 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the shape ofthe base 110 and the housing 120 and is installed between the base 110and the housing 120, a dead space may not exist among the base 110, thehousing 120 and the yoke 130, and the yoke 130 may not rotate betweenthe base 110 and the housing 120.

A cylindrical bobbin 140 is installed at an inner portion of thevertical wall 134 of in the yoke 130. The bobbin 140 is movable up anddown through the second opening 121. A lens module 200 including a lensand a lens supporter is coupled with the bobbin 140.

A magnet 150 having an angular column structure is fixed to an innersurface of the vertical plate 137 of the yoke 130, and a coil 160 isdisposed around the bobbin 140. The coil 160 has a cylindrical structureor a polygonal structure and faces the vertical wall 134.

In the embodiment, the coil 160 has a substantially octagonal structure,in which edges of the coil 160 facing the magnet 150 are curved.

At this time, a plane of the magnet 150, which is arranged sequentiallyto the vertical wall 134, is curved corresponding to the curvature ofthe coil 160 and the vertical wall 134 such that the electromagneticfield can be maximized. That is, the coil 160, the plane of the magnet150 facing the coil 160, and the vertical wall 134 have the samecurvature.

In the embodiment, a plurality of magnets 150 are disposed at edges ofthe yoke 130 to minimize the space occupied by the magnet 150.

Therefore, in the outer peripheral surface of the coil 160, an area thatfaces the magnets 150 is smaller than an area that does not face themagnets 150. In detail, the area that faces the magnets 150 is greaterthan 20% and smaller than 50% in the outer peripheral surface of thecoil 160.

If the area that faces the magnets 150 is less than 20% in the outerperipheral surface of the coil 160, magnetic force is too insufficientto move up the coil 160. In addition, if the area that faces the magnets150 is greater than 50% in the outer peripheral surface of the coil 160,the space occupied by the magnets 150 is too large.

According to the embodiment, in order to increase the magnetic forcewhile reducing the space occupied by the magnets 150, the magnet 150 hasan angular column structure in which a plane of the magnet 140 thatfaces the coil 160 is curved.

Therefore, the magnet 150 has later faces including a curved plane thatfaces the coil 160 and at least one flat plane that does not face thecoil 160. In the embodiment, the magnet 150 includes one curved planeand three flat planes.

Thus, as current is applied to the coil 160, the coil 160 moves uptogether with the bobbin 140 due to an electric field generated from thecoil 160 and a magnetic field generated from the magnet 150.Accordingly, the lens module 200 coupled with the bobbin 140 is alsomoved up.

First and second spacers 171 and 175 are installed between a bottomsurface of the yoke 130 and the base 110 and between the upper surfaceof the yoke 130 and the housing 120, respectively. The first and secondspacers 171 and 175 have elasticity to compensate for the assemblingtolerance between the parts.

In addition, outer peripheral portions of first and second springs 181and 185 having ring shapes are inserted between the bottom surface ofthe first spacer 171 and the base 110 and between the upper surface ofthe second spacer 175 and the housing 120, respectively.

Inner peripheral portions of the first and second springs 181 and 185are integrally formed with the bobbin 140. As the current being appliedto the coil 150 is shut off, the bobbin 140 is moved down by the firstand second springs 181 and 185, so that the bobbin 140 returns to itsinitial position.

Although the embodiment shows the first and second springs 181 and 185,it is also possible to provide only one of the first and second springs181 and 185.

An outer peripheral portion of the horizontal plate 131, which isarranged between adjacent vertical plates 137 of the yoke 130, has acurvature corresponding to that of the vertical wall 134. In addition, avertical connection plate 139 that connects the adjacent vertical plates137 to each other is provided on the outer peripheral portion of thehorizontal plate 131 in a curved shape. The vertical connection plate139 inhibits penetration of impurity and improves the aestheticappearance of the lens driving apparatus.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The lens driving apparatus according to the embodiment can bemanufactured in a small size, and can be applied to various electronicappliances equipped with a camera function.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens driving apparatus comprising: a base; ahousing coupled to the base and comprising an upper surface and a firstside surface projecting downwardly from the upper surface, the firstside surface having an uppermost portion adjacent to the upper surface;a bobbin disposed in the housing; a coil disposed around the bobbin; anupper spring coupled to an upper portion of the bobbin; a lower springcoupled to a lower portion of the bobbin; and a magnet disposed in thehousing and facing the coil; wherein the base has a first protrusion anda second protrusion protruded from the base, wherein the lower spring isdisposed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, whereinan inner portion of the first protrusion facing an outer periphery ofthe lower spring has a corresponding shape to the outer periphery of thelower spring facing the inner portion of the first protrusion, whereinan inner portion of the second protrusion facing an outer periphery ofthe lower spring has a corresponding shape to the outer periphery of thelower spring facing the inner portion of the second protrusion, andwherein the first protrusion is in direct physical contact with theuppermost portion of the first side surface of the housing.
 2. The lensdriving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper portion of thehousing has a first step and a second step, and wherein an outer portionof the upper spring is disposed under the second step.
 3. The lensdriving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first protrusion isdisposed at a corner of the base, and wherein the second protrusion isdisposed at a corner of the base.
 4. The lens driving apparatus asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the second step of the housing is disposedat a corner of the housing.
 5. The lens driving apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the lens driving apparatus comprises a third protrusionand a fourth protrusion, wherein the base has a square shape, andwherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth protrusions isdisposed at a respective corner of the base.
 6. The lens drivingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner portion of the firstprotrusion facing outer periphery of the lower spring has a flatsurface.
 7. The lens driving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe first protrusion and the second protrusion each has a portionoverlapped with the coil in a direction perpendicular to an opticalaxis.
 8. A lens driving apparatus comprising: a base; a housing coupledto the base; a bobbin disposed in the housing; a coil disposed aroundthe bobbin; a spacer disposed in the housing; an upper spring disposedbetween the spacer and the housing; a lower spring coupled to a lowerportion of the bobbin; and a magnet disposed in the housing and facingthe coil; wherein an upper portion of the housing has a first step and asecond step, and wherein an outer portion of the upper spring is indirect contact with the second step.
 9. The lens driving apparatus asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the second step is closer to the base thanis the first step.
 10. The lens driving apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein the housing comprises a second side surface projectingdownwardly from the upper surface, the second side surface having anuppermost portion adjacent to the upper surface; wherein the secondprotrusion is in direct physical contact with the uppermost portion ofthe second side surface of the housing.